Method, computer readable medium, information-managing system and server device for detecting a terminal location and sending corresponding predetermined information

• US 7,143,138 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2002
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Imanishi, Akiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughn, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): MESFIN, YEMANE
• Application Number:
  US10/095,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20030018711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 701/213
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices

Abstract

A method of managing information includes the steps of pre-registering predetermined information to be sent to at least one portable terminal in such a manner that the predetermined information is linked to first location information, detecting a current location of the portable terminal such that the current location serves as second location information, and comparing the second location information to the first location information so as to determine whether to send the predetermined information to the portable terminal. The method further includes the step of reading out the predetermined information linked to the first location information and sending the predetermined information to the portable terminal.

Claims

1. A method of managing information, comprising:

pre-registering predetermined information to be sent to at least one portable terminal in such a manner that said predetermined information is linked to first location information;

detecting a current location of said at least one portable terminal such that said current location serves as second location information;

comparing said second location information with said first location information to determine whether a distance between said second location information and said first location information is less than a predetermined distance, and comparing validity period information stored linked with said predetermined information with current date information so as to determine whether to send said predetermined information to said at least one portable terminal; and

reading out said predetermined information linked to said first location information and sending said predetermined information to said at least one portable terminal, wherein

the predetermined distance is determined by a particular user of the portable terminal for said predetermined information, and

said pre-registering comprises

receiving an information identification number input through said at least one portable terminal;

reading out said predetermined information and said first location information corresponding to said information identification number from information storage means in which at least said predetermined information and said first location information are stored by being linked with said information identification number; and

registering said predetermined information and said first location information read out from said information storage means on an individual portable terminal basis.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said registering further comprises:

receiving search condition information input through said at least one portable terminal;

searching said predetermined information corresponding to said search condition information from an information storage means in which at least said predetermined information and said first location information are stored linked and reading out said predetermined information and said first location information linked with said predetermined information; and

storing said predetermined information and said first location information read out from said information storage means for each of the portable terminals.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising after sending the read-out predetermined information to said at least one portable terminal, billing an information provider who has provided said predetermined information.

4. A method of managing information, comprising:

receiving first location information stored linked with predetermined information in an information-managing server;

detecting a current location of at least one portable terminal such that said current location serves as second location information;

comparing said second location information and said first location information to determine whether a distance between said second location information and said first location information is less than a predetermined distance, and comparing validity period information stored linked with said predetermined information with current date information, and determining whether to send said predetermined information; and

sending the result of the determination to said information-managing server and said predetermined information stored linked with said first location information being sent from said information-managing server, wherein

the predetermined distance is determined by a particular user of the portable terminal for said predetermined information, and

said receiving first location information comprises

receiving an information identification number input through said at least one portable terminal;

reading out said predetermined information and said first location information corresponding to said information identification number from information storage means in which at least said predetermined information and said first location information are stored by being linked with said information identification number; and

registering said predetermined information and said first location information read out from said information storage means on an individual portable terminal basis.

5. A computer readable medium storing program code for causing a computer to manage information, comprising:

first program code means for registering predetermined information to be sent to at least one portable terminal such that said predetermined information is linked with first location information;

second program code means for detecting a current location of said at least one portable terminal such that said current location serves as second location information;

third program code means for comparing said second location information with said first location information to determine whether a distance between said second location information and said first location information is less than a predetermined distance, and for comparing validity period information stored linked with said predetermined information with current date information so as to determine whether to send said predetermined information; and

fourth program code means for reading out said predetermined information linked to said first location information and sending said predetermined information to said at least one portable terminal, wherein

the predetermined distance is determined by a particular user of the portable terminal for said predetermined information, and

said first program code means comprises

program code means for receiving an information identification number input through said at least one portable terminal;

program code means for reading out said predetermined information and said first location information corresponding to said information identification number from information storage means in which at least said predetermined information and said first location information are stored by being linked with said information identification number; and

program code means for registering said predetermined information and said first location information read out from said information storage means on an individual portable terminal basis.

6. A server for managing information, said server comprising:

storing means for storing predetermined information to be sent to at least one portable terminal in such a manner that said predetermined information is linked to first location information;

detecting means for detecting a current location of said at least one portable terminal such that said current location serves as second location information;

determining means for comparing said second location information to said first location information to determine whether a distance between said second location information and said first location information is less than a predetermined distance, and for comparing validity period information stored linked with said predetermined information with a current date information so as to determine whether to send said predetermined information; and

sending means for reading out said predetermined information linked to said first location information and sending said predetermined information to said at least one portable terminal, wherein

the predetermined distance is determined by a particular user of the portable terminal for said predetermined information, and

said storing comprises

receiving an information identification number input through said at least one portable terminal;

reading out said predetermined information and said first location information corresponding to said information identification number from information storage means in which at least said predetermined information and said first location information are stored by being linked with said information identification number; and

registering said predetermined information and said first location information read out from said information storage means on an individual portable terminal basis.

7. A system, comprising:

a server, at least one portable terminal connected to said server via a network and at least one information-provider terminal connected to said server via the network,

said at least one portable terminal having means for locating its current location; and

said server further comprising;

storing means for storing predetermined information to be sent to at least one portable terminal in such a manner that said predetermined information is linked to first location information;

detecting means for detecting the current location of said at least one portable terminal such that said current location serves as second location information;

determining means for comparing said second location information with said first location information to determine whether a distance between said second location information and said first location information is less than a predetermined distance, and for comparing validity period information stored linked with said predetermined information with current date information so as to determine whether to send said predetermined information; and

sending means for reading out said predetermined information linked to said first location information and sending said predetermined information to said at least one portable terminal, wherein

the predetermined distance is determined by a particular user of the portable terminal for said predetermined information, and

said storing means comprises;

receiving means for receiving an information identification number input through said at least one portable terminal;

reading means for reading out said predetermined information and said first location information corresponding to said information identification number from information storage means in which at least said predetermined information and said first location information are stored by being linked with said information identification number; and

registering means for registering said predetermined information and said first location information read out from said information storage means on an individual portable terminal basis.

8. A computer readable medium storing program code for causing a computer to manage information, by:

registering predetermined information to be sent to at least one portable terminal such that said predetermined information is linked with first location information;

detecting a current location of said at least one portable terminal such that said current location serves as second location information;

comparing said second location information to said first location information to determine whether a distance between said second location information and said first location information is less than a predetermined distance, and comparing validity period information stored linked with said predetermined information with current date information so as to determine whether to send said predetermined information; and

reading out said predetermined information linked to said first location information and sending said predetermined information to said at least one portable terminal, wherein

the predetermined distance is determined by a particular user of the portable terminal for said predetermined information, and

said registering comprises

receiving an information identification number input through said at least one portable terminal;

reading out said predetermined information and said first location information corresponding to said information identification number from information storage means in which at least said predetermined information and said first location information are stored by being linked with said information identification number; and

registering said predetermined information and said first location information read out from said information storage means on an individual portable terminal basis.